Devp nations must take lead to cut emissions: Pranab

New Delhi, June 5: Just ahead of the G-8 summit, focussed on climate change, India today used the World Environment Day to underscore that industrialised nations should take the lead in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases to arrest global warming.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Kumar Mukherjee said, developed countries account for the vast bulk of emissions already in the atmosphere, so they should take greater responsibilty for cutting emissions.

''Steps must be taken by all concerned according to our common differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities with industrialised countries taking the lead,'' Mr Mukherjee said while speaking as chief guest at an World Environment Day function here.

India's reiteration of its stand comes amidst increasing pressure on the developing countries to agree to mandated cuts on emmissions under the next phase of Kyoto protocol to come in 2012. Under the current protocol, only developed nations, but excluding USA, have agreed to mandated cuts emissions.

The External Affairs Minister said, India had already taken major initiatives including adoptation of a new National Environment Policy to clean and conserve the environment.

''It recognizes that environment management cannot be treated separately from other development concerns and that the poor are not seen as a problem but as part of the solution. The policy is bringing new models of partnership between the Government and the civil society,'' he said.

Mr Mukherjee said, as a signitory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, India was committed to climate friendly sustainable development.

Energy efficiency has improved in energy intensive industries such as cement, paper and steel and initiatives such as the conversion of public transport to CNG, enhancement of public transport through the metro rail and Bus Rapid Transport Systems, promotion of bio-fuels such as jatropha were noteworthy for their impact in reducing emissions, he pointed out.

Referring to the theme for this year's World Environment day--'Melting Ice--A Hot Topic', he said, what happens in the Arctic and the Antarctic was of direct concern to all.

UNI

Related Stories